Mary Hawk Pinney

Hawk Pinney was born on November 20, 1928. Mary was raised in her beloved Goochland County, Virginia, along with her seventeen brothers and sisters, by her parents, Robert Mahaffey Hawk and Lena Avice (Williams) Hawk. The Hawk family came to Goochland from Pennsylvania in the late 1890s. They have been an integral part of Goochland since that time.

In her early years, Mary spent countless hours with friends and family on the farm run by her father and older brothers. She was always happy to share stories of those early years with everyone. Her brothers and sisters spoiled her as she was the ‘baby’ of the family until her four siblings came after her. She tells of how her older brothers made her toys, and how her older sisters, who all worked in Richmond, dressed her up like she was their doll. That could be where her love of dolls began.

As a young woman, Mary followed in the footsteps of her sisters, and headed to Richmond to work at Thalhimer’s Department Store. There she met Louise Pinney, who would introduce Mary to her brother, Allen, home from the Navy after World War II. The rest is history. They had a beautiful wedding in Richmond, done by Thalhimer’s, on New Year’s Eve, 1946. The following year, in December 1947, their daughter, Barbara, was born. Becky followed in September 1950.

Mary and Allen were active in the county and chaired Goochland Day festivities for many years. Mary also was a dedicated member of American Legion Post 215, where she was active with Boys State and Girls State. Mary will be remembered for her artistic abilities and love of flowers. She and Allen took great pride in their yard on Gathright Road, and spent hours taking care that it always looked its best. Mary spent as much time inside her home to make it warm and welcoming, and will long be remembered for her extensive doll collection, displayed throughout her home. And everyone will recall how she decorated her home for Christmas.

Throughout her lifetime, Mary’s large family afforded her the great pleasure of sharing many happy hours with all of her many nieces and nephews. She was especially close to her very special niece, Betty Mattice, of Goochland, with whom she shared a birthday, and special great-nephew, Brent Mattice, and his partner, Becca Lund, along with their children, Rhoda and Hayden, all of Chesterfield.

Mary also had many wonderful and good friends with whom she shared many happy times. She was especially close to her dear friend, Debbie Bias, and her children, John and Jackie, all of Goochland.

Mary’s greatest joy of involvement was with her church, Elpis Christian, where she had been a life-long member. She also took great pride in her job with the A. H. Robins Pharmaceutical Company, where she was employed for more than thirty years.

Mary will be greeted in Heaven by her husband, Allen; her grandson, Allen Perkins; her father, Robert; her beloved mother, Lena Avice; her sisters, Marguerite, Viola, Esther, Frances and Edith; and her brothers Clyde, Elmer, Lloyd, Sam, Ed, Ben, Leon, Cooper and Byrt. Finally, she will be met by her beloved sister, Jean, who preceded her in death on August 24th.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Becky and Barbara, and son-in-law, Lawson; by granddaughter, Amy Perkins, and her partner, Monica Lauber, along with great-grandchildren, Colin, Braeden, Rowan and Amelia Sheppard. She is also survived by grandson, Byron Thomas; granddaughter, Lesley Starks; granddaughter-in-law Karen Eilert Perkins; brother, Robert Gay Hawk and his wife, Carmen; and brother, Earl Hawk.

Mary is gone, but will long be remembered by all who knew her for the impact that she had on their lives.

Visitation will be held at Elpis Christian Church, 2703 Elpis Church Road, Maidens, Virginia 23102 on Friday, September 9, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The memorial service will be on Saturday, September 10, at 3:00 p.m. followed by a reception at the church.

The family requests that any remembrance donations be made in Mary’s name to American Legion Post 215, Goochland, Virginia 23063.